Youth projects bless Dereham Christian care home

Two local youth projects have chosen to lend a helping hand at the Mid Norfolk Christian residential care home, Eckling Grange, raising funds and working hard to bless elderly residents, as well as spending time with them.

Elderly residents of Eckling Grange, the Christian residential care home and sheltered accommodation complex, on the edge of Dereham are the beneficiaries of two local youth projects run by the town’s Northgate High School and the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Prince’s Trust Team Programme.

Pupils of the Northgate High School in Dereham will be selling festive gifts, made by themselves, at the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On event on Sunday, December 3. The student’s double stall on Church Street will sell the craft items from 12pm-5pm to raise money to buy gifts for residents at Eckling Grange and to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme.

The idea came through a lunch club, called the Giving Back Club, set up by a group of Year 11s at the school. Members of the group visit Eckling Grange every week and enjoy chatting with the elderly residents.

In October Eckling Grange was also the beneficiary of a Prince’s Trust Team Programme project, run by the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service for 16-25 year olds.

The team of young people raised £735 by bag packing at Tesco stores to purchase equipment and renovate an area outside the care home’s sun lounge, giving it a facelift and making it a more interesting environment for the residents.

Stewart Barber, General Manager at Eckling Grange said: “After some preparation the team moved on site from the 23rd October and spent a week working on their plans. The team also spent time each day with the residents and they enjoyed dining together which the residents particularly loved.

“On behalf of all the Residents and Trustees at Eckling Grange, we want to say a massive thank you to Andrew, Ashleigh, Brooklyn, Craig, Jack, Kieran, Winston, Alice and Kirstie. Also thank you to Team Leaders Chantelle and Neil.”